Niño de Chicago, 2024
Mixed medium: acrylic paint, color pencils, acrylic ink, Purchase

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Art by Stephanie Herrera
Poem by Neha Chawla

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BROKEN BOY

The only barriers between us were these glass windows. The walls he put up himself were his to break. I won’t do it anymore. I held him close in my consciousness but I realized he was deeply unhappy. He couldn’t stay in a situation that broke him down every day. I extended my arms to the broken boy. He was talking to me through the window panes. I couldn’t hear him. I tried to read his lips. I whispered back, “I can help you.” His eyes looked desperate. He looked comforted that he could see me. I could save him. I extended my arms out to him. I could be his safety, his solace, his saving grace. I could give him everything he wanted.

Come to me, I’ll be your home just like you are for me.

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Neha Chawla | Insidious is a photo director and photographer based in Chicago, Illinois. Primarily working on concept shoots for most of their days, they explore alternate dimensions and dynamics of raw, emotional relationships through film and digital photography. Through a surrealistic lens, they engage their audience through the movement in their models and how they interact with one another through each series they produce. Exploring the psyche through different perspectives and studies of psychology truly drive these concept shoots – the understanding of relationships and why we destroy one another is so intriguing.

Stephanie Herrera | As a Mexican-American/Chicana from Chicago, my work represents the cultural imagery found in my everyday life, traditions, and lived experiences. Growing up with two cultures, a new identity emerges–one that creates and celebrates a home in the in between. The main goal of my life’s work is to celebrate my full identity in all of its intersectionalities to ultimately empower the collective to do the same in their own identity.

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1000 Words | Home Not Home Artists + Writers

Noa Alemán + Tamar Brooks • Jacqueline Almaguer + Alanis Castillo Caref • Lexi Alvarado + Isabela Ortega • Danielle Arend + Janina Gatilao • Sofia Brunwin + Spencer Hutchinson • Andrea Cole + Rocio Franco • Lydia Collins + Tarnynon Onumonu • Gregory Diaz + Irvin Ibarra • Danielle Dykerhouse + Betsy Van Die • Jonathan Espinoza + ben-aki • Jaymes Fedor + Maria Requena • Samantha Franco + Angeles Rangel • Ines Gardea + Angelica Davila • Frank Geiser + Penny Mann • Evelyn Hernandez + Valeria Osornio • Stephanie Hererra + Neha Chawla • Ivana Jarmon + Theo Sullivan • Vivian Jones + Luz Silva • Lewis Lain + Thulasi Seshan • Cesar Luna + benedicta m badia • Marie Magnetic + Jasmine Rodriguez • Delisha Mckinney + Paloma Velasco • Diana Noh + Juj-Lepe • Andrew Rehs + Corbett Berger • Clau Rocha + Maria Jose Ramos Villagra • Amyia Ross Brittanii Batts (Tanae b) • Fawaz Sakaw + Arianna Maggio • Lucero Sanchez + Clay-Cofre • Ramin Takloo-Bighash + Yiwen-Lyu • TEEL ONE + Melody Contreras • Pamela Trejo + Kim Yeoh • Cindy Uriostegui + Scum Drop • Ami Vasilopoulos + Stephanie Cruz Rincon • Ivy Waegel + Aryn Hills • Emily Schroeder Willis + Angelica Flores • Raine Yung + Micaela Petkus